20/10/2026
This iconic photo captures a historic moment in the design process for the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. From left to right: Eero Saarinen, Pier Luigi Nervi, Ernesto Nathan Rogers, Walter Gropius, Bernard Zehrfuss (standing, with pipe), Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer (standing) and Sven Merkelius
The meeting symbolizes a unique global collaboration aimed at creating a modernist architectural icon representing unity, diplomacy, and international cooperation. The design of the UNESCO Headquarters building was the combined work of three architects: Bernard Zehrfuss (France), Marcel Breuer (Hungary), and Pier Luigi Nervi (Italy). Plans were also validated by an international committee of five architects composed of Lúcio Costa (Brazil), Walter Gropius (Germany/United States), Le Corbusier (France), Sven Markelius (Sweden) and Ernesto Nathan Rogers (Italy), with the collaboration of Eero Saarinen (Finland).